Medicaid rules usually penalize gifts of any property to an applicant’s children during the five-year look-back period. But there are some exceptions that allow a Medicaid applicant or recipient to give away the personal residence to a son or daughter with no penalty....

Mary, a widow, lives alone in the home she has owned for 52 years. She can cook, clean the house, and care for herself. But she no longer drives because of failing eyesight, and there are no stores within walking distance. Mary wants to stay in her home as long as...

A special needs trust holds assets (usually funds) for the benefit of a disabled person without affecting any public benefits the person may receive, such as SSI or Medicaid. Those assets can then be used for the disabled person’s benefit. Current law allows a...

As our population ages, there are new services available to help families cope and make prudent decisions about an aging loved one. Caring for a senior can rapidly become complex and overwhelming. Having one person manage multiple concerns and issues can stretch...

Since 1987, the federal Nursing Home Reform Act has provided a number of important protections for residents of skilled nursing facilities. A few of these are: Freedom from restraints. The act provides prohibits the use of “physical or chemical restraints...

On last night’s broadcast, NBC News reported on the loneliness and isolation felt by millions of Americans who provide care to elderly relatives. NBC spotlighted findings from a new AARP study, including the fact that 42 million Americans age 40 to 60 spend time...

Elder Law Topics

About Andrew Sykes

The founder of Sykes Elder Law, Andrew Sykes is recognized as a leading elder law authority in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Sykes is the past chair of the Elder Law Committee of the Allegheny County Bar Association.